Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-07
HIGH AND SPRING.
Important and Timely Suggestions as to
Lowering of the Grade.

Lowering of the Grade.
To the Editor of the Republic:
Our city seems tO he about to succeed in
securing two valuable public Improvements
the coming season. First, in the erection
of market house, on the site selected be-
tween market space and Center street. The
public are to be congratulated ON a site in
and open to so few objections, and SO CEN
ually located, where a market house com
bining all the modern cuuyeniences can be
erected, and in connection with 1t also all
the city offices, council chamber. city hall,
armories, etc.
Second. in the erection OF a building by
the general government for pcStotiice pur-
poses and revenue offices, on a site not 81
happily located. Contemplating this site
leads us to suggest, in view of the difficult
ties surrounding it, that il would be timely
in the city. before any valuable permanent
improvements are commenced on
this site. to make such bettermentS
As the situation demands. in view of the
future growth of the city. For we venture
that We hazard nothing in predicting that a
very few years will witness High street
| from Center to the new puSt0tiiCe site one
nf the very best business centeTS in the city.
/ Ii such correction of the grades can b. Sc
cured as will adapt IL to the changed c0ndi
| ton of things. which might also designate
a sight for mechanics institute and 4 pub
| lie library. Perhaps some may say that
| this part of the street Is occupied by private
| residences and change of grade is unnec
esSary. We answer that il is not likely Il
long remain So. If it should, We admit
there would be no urgency for a change o
l grade 1t is a thing entirely unusual for :
postoffice to be situated in purely TeSiden
| district. Some of the difficulties to be over
| come in this location are: First. III,
| grade of High street approaching the post
| office site from the west Is rather steep 10
a firSt-class business street. In the secOnt
place. the grade on Spring street. The ap
pruach from the north is better adapted tO
a toboggau slide than for firS-clasS buSi
ness street. Third, the approach from
the south on Spring street is 81
distracted by railroad tracks that the citi
zen who attempts il from that direction
tSkes his life in his hand in doing 50
Fourth. the approach from the east ol
| High is of better character, but in thi
direction the traffic is limited. For al
that part of the city lying east of Sprin.
and west of East street. aud south Of tn
railroad tracks. 10 all that, the approach +
this pastoffice site is of the worst Characte
imaginable, and the approach from all tina
lpart of the city east of Limestone stree
and north of Main street it is questionable
rendered so by means of the steep ascen
iof Spring street. Now. Mr. Editor, be
fore the postoifice building is commence
would il not be- well to change the grade o.
High and Spring streets, cutting down tn
hill SO as 10 make an easy gradual aSccn
from the alley midway between LimeSton
and Spring streets to near Gallagher stree,
This could be done without serious damag
to any of the abutting property. ON III
contrary, enhancing the greater part of
at least twenty-five per cent. BY takin
|, the gravel in this hill to ill the streets ~
either side of the new market house the cS
pense would be very moderate This woul
relieve the approaches from the west an
the north largely from objection. Then ot
| .er further relief by constructing viadu,
on Penn street the first street east OF Hig
=, street bridge, commencing at the north raj
road track and land on the elevated groun
! on the south side of Monroe st.eet. an
topen a street to Harrison street. Fill II
Penn street to your viaduct. thus offering
convenient and safe outlet to all that pa
of the city east of Linden avenue and we
of East street and south of the raiiroa,
. This would also afford an opportunity
relieve the railroads of all grade crOSsln!
between Linden avenue and East stree
The expense might be divided between ii
city and the railroad companies 50 as
r make the burden comparatively light on al
VENTURA.